Training Program for Chess Players: 1nd Category (elo 1600−2000) by Victor Golenishchev

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CONTENTS

Index of signs ..........................................................................................5

Syllabus ...................................................................................................6

Guidelines for the syllabus .......................................................................8

Guidelines for the topic ‘Training in the technique of calculation’ ...........9

1st lesson. Training in the technique of calculation ................................. 10

2nd lesson. Training in the technique of calculation (continuation) ......... 15

3rd lesson. Training in the technique of calculation (continuation) ......... 17

4th lesson. Training in the technique of calculation (conclusion) ............ 19

Guidelines for the topic ‘Endings’ .......................................................... 21

5th lesson. Instructive positions in pawn endings ................................... 22

6th lesson. Geometry of the board. ‘Shoulder-charging’ ........................ 27

7th lesson. Endings with passed pawns for both sides .............................. 30

8th lesson. Endings with passed pawns for both sides (conclusion) .......... 34

9th lesson. Pawn breakthrough .............................................................. 38

10th lesson. Superior pawn formation .................................................... 41

11th lesson. Reserve tempi ..................................................................... 45

12th lesson. King activity ....................................................................... 47

13th lesson. Transition into a pawn endgame as a method of

converting a material or positional advantage ........................ 52

Guidelines for lessons 14, 25 and 36 ....................................................... 56

14th lesson. About study composition. Some study ideas in practice ....... 56

15th lesson. Instructive positions in rook endings ................................... 62

16th lesson. Control of the 7th rank ....................................................... 67

17th lesson. Utilising an open file .......................................................... 71

18th lesson. Endings with passed pawns ................................................. 76

19th lesson. Endings with passed pawns (conclusion) ............................. 82

20th lesson. Activity in rook endings ...................................................... 86

21st lesson. Exploiting pawn weaknesses ................................................ 91

22nd lesson. Some defensive resources ................................................... 94

23rd lesson. Conversion of a material advantage .................................... 98

24th lesson. Conversion of a positional advantage ................................. 102

25th lesson. Some rook studies ............................................................ 105

Guidelines for test exercises ................................................................ 109

4

26th lesson. Combination solving quiz ................................................. 110

27th lesson. Combination solving quiz (continuation) ......................... 114

28th lesson. Combination solving quiz (conclusion) ............................. 118

29th lesson. Blitz quiz ......................................................................... 123

30th lesson. Problem solving quiz ........................................................ 127

31st lesson. Combination solving quiz ................................................. 133

32nd lesson. Combination solving quiz (continuation) .......................... 138

33rd lesson. Combination solving quiz (conclusion) ............................. 143

34th lesson. Blitz quiz ......................................................................... 148

35th lesson. Problem solving quiz ........................................................ 152

36th lesson. Study solving quiz ............................................................ 157

Guidelines for the topic ‘Basics of strategy’ ......................................... 161

37th lesson. Exploitation of a pawn majority on the queenside ............. 161

38th lesson. Exploitation of a pawn majority in the centre

or on the kingside ............................................................... 166

39th lesson. Fighting against a flank pawn majority .............................. 170

40th lesson. Pawn chain ...................................................................... 176

41st lesson. Pawn chain (conclusion) ................................................... 181

42nd lesson. Qualitative pawn majority ................................................ 186

43rd lesson. Restriction of mobility and blockade ................................ 191

44th lesson. Restriction of mobility and blockade (conclusion) ..............197

45th lesson. The c3+d4 pawn pair on semi-open files .......................... 200

46th lesson. The c3+d4 pawn pair on semi-open files (conclusion) ...... 205

47th lesson. Isolated pawn in the centre of the board ............................ 210

48th lesson. Isolated pawn in the centre of the board (continuation) ....... 214

49th lesson. Isolated pawn in the centre of the board (continuation) ....... 217

50th lesson. Isolated pawn in the centre of the board (conclusion) .......... 221

Answers to assignments ....................................................................... 226

5

INDEX OF SIGNS

= equal game

T unclear position

M White is slightly better

N Black is slightly better

O White is better

P Black is better

Q White has a decisive advantage

R Black has a decisive advantage

U with compensation

X with an attack

Y with the initiative

Z with counterplay

# mate

! very good move

!! excellent move

? bad move

!? move deserving attention

?! dubious move

?? blunder

c with the idea

x weak point

e better

SYLLABUS

This syllabus is made up of 50 lessons.

Each lesson consists of the checking of home assignments, an explana-

tion of theoretical material, the recording of a new home assignment and a

practical part. The average length of the theoretical part is one hour; solving

tests can last slightly longer. The practical part includes tournament play,

an analysis of games played, simultaneous displays – normal and thematic,

blitz tournaments and an analysis of the results of tests.

Topics studied .......................................................................Number of lessons

TACTICS

1. Training in the technique of calculation .............................................. 4

ENDINGS

I. Pawn endings

1. Instructive positions in pawn endings.................................................. 1

2. Geometry of the board. ‘Shoulder-charging’ ...................................... 1

3. Endings with passed pawns for both sides ............................................ 2

4. Pawn breakthrough ............................................................................ 1

5. Superior pawn formation ................................................................... 1

6. Reserve tempi .................................................................................... 1

7. King activity ...................................................................................... 1

8. Transition into a pawn endgame

as a method of converting a material or positional advantage .............. 1

9. About study composition. Some study ideas in practice ........................... 1

Total .................................................................................................... 10

II. Rook endings

1. Instructive positions in rook endings .................................................. 1

2. Control of the 7th rank ...................................................................... 1

3. Utilising an open file .......................................................................... 1

4. Endings with passed pawns ................................................................ 2

7

5. Activity in rook endings ..................................................................... 1

6. Exploiting pawn weaknesses ............................................................... 1

7. Some defensive resources ................................................................... 1

8. Conversion of a material advantage .................................................... 1

9. Conversion of a positional advantage ................................................. 1

10. Some rook studies ............................................................................ 1

Total ................................................................................................... 11

TACTICS (PART TWO)

1. Combination, problem and study solving quizzes .............................. 11

BASICS OF STRATEGY

1. Pawn majority on one of the wings...................................................... 3

2. Pawn chain ........................................................................................ 2

3. Qualitative pawn majority................................................................... 1

4. Restriction of mobility and blockade .................................................. 2

5. The c3+d4 pawn pair on semi-open files ............................................ 2

6. Isolated pawn in the centre of the board ............................................. 4

Total .................................................................................................... 14

OVERALL TOTAL .............................................................................. 50